What Does Flogged Mean? A Biblical Definition of Flog, Flogged or Flogging

What does flogging mean? What is the biblical definition of flogging or being flogged?

Flogging is…

Flogging is the act of whipping or lashing someone or the act of methodically beating the human body with special implements such as whips, lashes, rods, or any other device that inflicts pain and harm. Most of the time it involves a severe beating or chastisement so being flogged is one of the most inhumane things that one person or persons can do to another.

The Apostles Flogging

Flogging was a very common occurrence during the first century in Judea and more so with the early Christians and particularly with the apostles. Perhaps no one endured more flogging in the early church than the Apostle Paul where one time “the tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this” (Acts 22:24). I find it interesting that they flogged Paul to find out what they were shouting against him so he was flogged illegally, even before he was convicted of any wrongdoing. And “when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned” (Acts 22:25)? This fulfilled Jesus’ prophecy where He said “I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town” (Matt 23:24).

The Apostles Flogged

When the apostles were preaching the gospel, they were brought before the Sanhedrin and chastised “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood” (Acts 5:28) but “Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings.” (Acts 5:29)! After they spoke about whether they should kill them or not “They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go” (Acts 5:40). How did the apostles react? They left “rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name” (Acts 5:41). Again, the apostles being flogged fulfilled Jesus’ prophesy that many of them He would send out would be flogged (Matt 23:24). Jesus had warned the disciples elsewhere to “Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues” (Matt 10:17) and this is exactly what happened. Flogging was not new to the New Testament for in the Old Testament “Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment” (Heb 11:36).

Jesus Flogged

No one in human history has endured more suffering than Jesus Christ did. Jesus prophesied that the Son of Man (Himself) “they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise” (Mark 10:34). In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus said “And after flogging him, they will kill him” (Luke 18:33a) which of course they did. Despite Pilate proclaiming Jesus’ innocence, he gave into the pressure that the Jews were exerting on him and they “took Jesus and flogged him” (John 19:1). Of course this was part of God’s plan as “it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief when his soul makes an offering for guilt” (Isaiah 53:10). It is from this flogging, and even worse, scourging, that “Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities” (Isaiah 53:11). Jesus didn’t have this happen to Him against His will or against the will of the Father. It was part of the providential, redemptive plan of God. Jesus received the wrath of God that we deserved and the Sinless One died for the sinful ones.

Conclusion

Someday there will come something far worse than flogging for all who refuse to believe in Jesus (Rev 21:8) and it will be the wrath of God on all who disbelieve in Him (John 3:36b) however there is still time today to repent and put your trust in Christ. Anyone who does this has had God’s wrath satisfied in Christ but anyone who doesn’t has to receive the wrath of God themselves. That is something that I wish for no one.

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Blind Chance or Intelligent Design available on Amazon.